Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month is Time to Protect Home, Family

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., Jan. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- T. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, a leading HVAC company in the greater Hudson Valley, is alerting homeowners to the dangers of carbon monoxide and offering advice for avoiding accidental poisonings during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the silent killer because it is colorless, odorless, tasteless and cannot be detected by humans unless alarms or detectors are used. January is when CO accidents peak due to the heavier use of furnaces and gas heaters as a result of cold weather. It is recommended to ensure all detectors and alarms are in working order and everyone in the home is aware of the dangers of CO.

"A cracked heat exchanger in a furnace is one way carbon monoxide can enter a home," said Tommy Webber, owner of T. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. "Other ways CO can enter the home are through water heaters, space heaters, clothes dryers, fireplaces or generators. Basically, anytime fuel is burned, CO is produced. We do several things in our own home to make it safer from carbon monoxide."

T. Webber offers the following tips to help avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide:

• Install and check CO detectors ? Each level of your home and sleeping areas should have a carbon monoxide detector. Periodically check the batteries and replace as needed.
• Never use a gas stove for heat ? Although a gas stove can generate a lot of heat, using it as a heat source for the home is extremely dangerous. The product of burning gas can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide over extended periods of time. Avoid this practice in your home.
• Keep CO producing equipment outside ? Do not use equipment indoors that is intended for outdoor use. Charcoal or gas grills, generators, portable furnaces or other charcoal or gas burning devices should never be used indoors. This includes basements and garages. Also, it is never a good idea to use them close to doors, windows or vents where the exhaust could leach into the home.
• Keep chimneys clear ? If you suspect you may have a blockage of your chimney, have it checked for animal nests, leaves and residue to ensure proper venting. It is a good idea to have all fireplaces cleaned and inspected annually.
• Warm up vehicles outside ? It's never a good idea to start and warm up a vehicle inside the garage ? it can be very dangerous. Even if the garage door is open, it is possible for carbon monoxide produced by the exhaust to get inside the home. Best practice ? after starting up the vehicle, move it outside while it warms up to ensure that toxic exhaust fumes properly vent.
• Tune-up the furnace ? Every homeowner should schedule an annual tune-up for the furnace. Trained service technicians look for and identify potential blockages that could prevent CO from properly venting. They also check to make sure that heat exchangers are in good working order and not cracked. They will replace filters and lubricate the motor and other moving parts in the system to ensure the best performance.

"We want all homeowners in Hudson Valley and the surrounding areas to take the time to recognize the best ways to prevent the buildup of dangerous carbon monoxide inside the home," Webber said. "January is a good time of year to take the proper steps for creating a safer environment in your home. All it takes is a little time and effort to gain that peace of mind."

For more information about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and how best to prevent it, call 845-288-2777 or visit www.twebber.com.

About T. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
T. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is a family owned and operated home services company serving the Hudson Valley area, including Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester, Orange, Rockland and Ulster counties. A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau, T. Webber has been the company of choice for commercial and residential repairs and services for nearly 30 years. Tom Webber founded the company in 1989 with the vision to exceed customer expectations and provide exceptional service with integrity, competence and objectivity with every service call. T. Webber provides timely, same-day service for plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical, well system, water quality, bathroom remodeling, and sewer and septic repairs. For more information, call 1-845-288-2777 or visit http://twebber.com/.

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Heather Ripley
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SOURCE T. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning